On this episode of The Colorist Podcast, I talk with veteran film color timer, Dale Grahn. Long before films were colored using computers, Dale color timed movies, using the only technology available at the time: printer points and printer lights.

He is best known for pioneering the bleach bypass look of Saving Private Ryan, and he’s also worked on other huge films like Gladiator, Minority Report, The Ring, Die Hard, and Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

His work included animated films like The Lion King, Aladdin, Toy Story, and Beauty and the Beast, which required a different workflow that many timers avoided altogether.

He’s collaborated with the biggest names in the industry like Steven Spielberg and Joel Silver. Currently, he is a fellow of the Colorist Society International and has directed his energy towards recognition of colorists worldwide.

On the podcast, we talk about:

When he got his start as a color timer

How timing differs from color grading or telecine

Gaining the opportunity to time is first major film, Predator

The bleach bypass look and how it happened almost by mistake

Director's and Cinematographer's role in his work

Why animated films required a different approach

Creating looks with the limited tools available in color timing

Why printer points are still used today

Working without seeing the immediate results of color changes

How the Koji Color film emulation LUTs were developed

ACES and getting everything to live in one color space

His role in Colorist Society International, and why it’s important for colorists today